For me, probably one of the best full back we've

Erimus74

Erimus74

Well-known member
Had in my time following the mighty Boro scored his one & only goal for the Boro this day the 6th March 1976

Terry Cooper away to Liverpool in a 2-0 win, the following season we drew 0-0 & Kevin Keegan spat his dummy out saying he'd rather go shopping with his misses than play against our defence, in other words it's my ball & I'm taking it home
 
Supposedly over the hill when we signed him but what a class act.
Here's a question for you. How many times did our greatest ever right back (John Craggs) play along with our greatest ever left back (Terry Cooper)? I don't know the answer, I'm just grateful that I saw them play at Ayresome.
 
grumpyoldgit said:
Supposedly over the hill when we signed him but what a class act.
Here's a question for you. How many times did our greatest ever right back (John Craggs) play along with our greatest ever left back (Terry Cooper)? I don't know the answer, I'm just grateful that I saw them play at Ayresome.
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IMHO, he was still good enough to play for England

I've done a bit of research
1974 - 75 = No3 x 9
1975 - 76 = No3 x 32, No10 x 9 & No9 x 1
1976 - 77 = No3 x 45, No10 x 1
1977 - 78 = No3 x 12

98 times alongside John Craggs 👍
 
Two excellent Boro full backs
 

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Terry was great to watch. I can remember his TV interview after he signed, stating he had come to Boro to get back in the England team not to finish his career.

Looking forward maybe Coulson will be as good. Has a bit of Terry Cooper about him. And not much Frank Spraggon about him.
 
Well before the days of 5 at the back so had to be masters of defence, tackle, and push forward on the wing....

Best I have seen pre Riverside..... not in any order like...

Gordon Jones... sweet left foot , cross a ball on a sixpence ... mcilmoye loved him
Terry Cooper... simply oozed class
John Craggs - Tough and fast
Colin Cooper - consistantly very good and a great defender
Ian Bailey - Undervalued at Boro , I thought very very good
Brian Laws - stylish , great leader
Gary Parkinson - great defending and a wicked shot

mentions for Jimmy Philips, Chris Morris, Curtis Fleming
 
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TC was a tweak by big Jack that nearly won us the title. A striker too and it would have been. He was awesome. I remember all the Leeds supporting school-kids (there were loads too) at my school being gutted.

Craggs Cooper Boam and Maddren were the classiest of back fours. Cooper was far from done when he joined us.
 
I can't believe no one has mentioned Frank Spraggon. The best ever consistent full back pairing I've ever seen at the Boro was him and Craggsy.

TC was good but, like him or loathe him Christian Ziege was the best full back to ever play for us. Absolute class on the ball. Imagine the defence if we'd managed to have him on the left, Roberto Carlos on the right, and Nadal in the middle.
 
coluka said:
TC was a tweak by big Jack that nearly won us the title. A striker too and it would have been. He was awesome. I remember all the Leeds supporting school-kids (there were loads too) at my school being gutted.

Craggs Cooper Boam and Maddren were the classiest of back fours. Cooper was far from done when he joined us.
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Coluka agree, TC could have still played for England 👍 IMHO. mind
 
Strangely at the time some said Cooper was good going forward but not as good at defending. Unlike Spraggon who was the opposite. That said Cooper would be outstanding in today's game. A modern wingback before they were dreamt up.
 
Downing when he was younger (faster) was a great full back when called upon. Many times, mid match, was switched to full back duties when the opposition had a really good right winger who was causing problems for our defence.
 
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